Whites Trace Branch: Archaeological Shovel Test Pit #1

Name/Title

Whites Trace Branch: Archaeological Shovel Test Pit #1

Entry/Object ID

WTB3.STP.01

Description

Contents from archaeological Shovel Test Pit at Whites Trace Branch Site #3 on 11/7/2009, these items were found in STP #1. Some artifacts here are consistent with presence of a fireplace, or an outdoor cooking area. Collection spans two bags, and includes: two (2) pieces of an iron fire grate, as for holding logs + multiple trace pieces of likely-related rusted metal one (1) bag of nails and related debris, possibly from the burning of building lumber one (1) neck of glass bottle, inner diameter too small for drinking vessel fourteen (14) fragments of bone (two burned), including one longer at 4.21", partial mammal leg bone two (2) shards of glazed ceramic pottery one (1) small metal buckle, probably brass ten (10) mineral specimens, some clearly bituminous coal but others may be charcoal, as from a cooking fire twenty two (22) shards of broken plate glass

Context

A shovel test pit (STP) is a standard method for Phase I of an archaeological survey. It designates a series of test holes, usually dug out by a shovel (hence the name) in order to determine whether the soil contains any cultural remains that are not visible on the surface. The soil is sifted or screened through wire mesh to recover the artifacts. STPs will often be laid out over the project area in a grid-like fashion or in a consistently spaced line, creating a fairly systematic survey. Therefore, after the holes have been dug, one may map artifact densities over the project area, pinpointing the locations of possible sites where further investigation may be necessary.

Collection

Blair Mountain Archaeology

Acquisition

Source (if not Accessioned)

Blair Mountain Archaeology Group

Notes

now collection of Kenny King

Material

Iron, Glass, Bone, Ceramic, Brass

Location

Location

Box

Blair Box #4

Shelf

Unit A: Shelf 5

Room

Artifact Storage Room

Category

Storage

Moved By

Shaun Slifer

Date

August 1, 2021

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Blair Mountain Archaeology Group

Related Places

Place

Location

Blair Area: Whites Trace Branch

Region

Blair Mountain Battlefield, Southeast, Blair Area

Continent

North America

Related Events

Event

Battle of Blair Mountain (1921)

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Archaeological Find

Notes

11/7/2009